BONNYVILLE – Town of Bonnyville Coun. Kayla Blanchette is the new board president of the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA).
Blanchette will be taking over the roll from outgoing board president Murtaza Jamaly and expressed her gratitude for his service and her excitement to take leadership of the board’s “shared vision.”
“I follow in the footsteps of Murtaza Jamaly, councillor for the Town of Westlock, who has been Board President for the past two years, and I know I have big shoes to fill. He was a force in the FCSS network,” said Blanchette.
Blanchette was elected to the position during the FCSSAA Conference in Edmonton which took place Nov. 13 to 15, and said she is deeply honoured and humbled to serve as board president for the FCSSAA.
“The overwhelming support I received in my bid for this role - from the membership, my council colleagues, our local FCSS board, and our dedicated staff - has been truly heartwarming. Their faith in my leadership and vision is both encouraging and inspiring, and I am committed to honouring that trust,” said Blanchette.
Blanchette said this new leadership opportunity is an exciting challenge she is eager to take on. She hopes to continue to make a meaningful difference in communities across Alberta.
Blanchette served on the FCSSAA board for two years, as well as Bonnyville’s local FCSS board for three years, and saw first-hand the important work the organization does. Her decision to pursue the roll of FCSSAA board president was driven by her passion for community service and her genuine belief in the organization.
“I’ve seen the tremendous potential of these local programs to address social issues at the grassroots level. I wanted to take on this leadership role to help amplify the voices of communities and ensure that FCSS programs are well-supported and effective in meeting diverse needs in every corner of our province,” said Blanchette.
Advocacy, collaboration, and innovation will be Blanchette’s focus as president. She plans to strengthen the association’s relationships with its members, and work with provincial stakeholders to ensure sustainable funding and support for FCSS programs.
“It is my hope to explore innovative approaches to addressing emerging challenges that align with the principles of preventative social services, which is the mandate of the FCSS program,” said Blanchette.
She explained that focusing on proactive solutions can create healthier communities and feels the current direction the province has taken on addressing issues is comparable to just “throwing life vests to those who are drowning.”
“We need to teach our folks to swim. That is the power of prevention,” said Blanchette.
She feels her new role will as board president will compliment her role as a municipal councillor. Despite the added responsibility, she is committed to balancing both roles and ensuring the priorities of the Town of Bonnyville remain at the forefront of her work.
“The insights and connections I gain in this role will help me better understand the social needs of our community and province as a whole and will provide the opportunity for me to advocate for policies and programs that directly benefit Bonnyville residents,” said Blanchette.
She gave high praise to the current FCSS program that she believes is doing “remarkable work in addressing the unique needs of Alberta communities.”
Blanchette touted the programs as preventative social services in action but commented on the ongoing challenge of sustainable funding.
“Communities across Alberta are growing and facing increasingly complex social issues, which in turn puts additional pressure on FCSS programs. An updated, sustainable funding model is essential to ensure these programs can adapt to emerging needs, hire and retain qualified staff, and deliver effective services,” said Blanchette.
Advocacy for a sustainable funding model will be a key component of Blanchette’s work as FCSSAA board president.